2013 Summer Pop Music Events

Beyonce plays Aug. 2 at Mohegan Sun. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images )

April 28, 2013|By NICK CAITO, Special To The Courant, The Hartford Courant

It's the summer tour season, when there are multiple live music concerts worth seeing every week, sometimes on the same day. Money, as well as the fact that matter cannot occupy two spaces at the same time, may prevent fans from seeing every act they'd like. But here's a short list for some good entertainment.

Black Francis: Still best known for fronting one of the seminal college rock bands, The Pixies, Black Francis has continued pumping out albums first with The Catholics and on his solo career. His latest, Abbabubba, shows he still brings the jagged riffs and singing / screeching skills he's known for. He's at Spaceland Ballroom on May 15. Information: 203-288-6400 or http://www.manicproductions.org.

Brad Paisley: Hartford's Comcast Theatre is always a big summer stop for country acts, and Brad Paisley is one of the top performers to come around every year. His upbeat and infections songs will fill the amphitheater May 18. Paisley's latest, "Wheelhouse," just premiered at number 2 on the Billboard Top 200. No word on whether the concert will feature an appearance by LL Cool J for the ridiculous track "Accidental Racist" (probably not). Information: http://www.livenation.com

Hot Jam 2013: One of two major annual concerts put on by hip hop station 93.7, the summertime Hot Jam always brings some of the biggest acts de jour to the area. This year has Kendrick Lamar headlining, a return appearance by J. Cole (who was on last year's bill), plus Ace Hood, Kat Dahlia, and many more. This year's concert moves indoors to the XL Center on May 31. Information: 860-249-6333 or http://www.xlcenter.com.

Ariel Pink: There are two distinct camps when it comes to Ariel Pink. Either you believe the artist is part of the eclectic wave that broke down musical concepts and ushered in a new generation of haunting lo-fi and psych-sampling music, or you think it's a dude acting weird and pushing buttons in front of kids wearing American Apparel scarves and sweaters in the summer. Either way, Ariel Pink is at the Pearl Street Clubroom on June 8. Information: http://www.iheg.com.

The Eagles: Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy Schmit are coming to Mohegan Sun on their "History Of The Eagles" Tour. A documentary seems like a weird thing to tour in support of, even if it was at Sundance. But whatever. It's the Eagles, they can do what they want. The Uncasville concert on July 18 is only one of 11 announced tour dates for the band. Information: 860-862-7163 or http://www.mohegansun.com.

AmericanaramA Festival: Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket have all performed in the Connecticut area at some point over the last year. However this one tour brings together all three titans of folk, roots, and, well, rock. Ryan Bingham also plays the new festival when it comes to the Ball Park at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport on July 19. This is the baseball venue's first live music in a long time, and who wouldn't want to see a concert outside at a ball park? Information: 203-210-2583 or http://www.bridgeportbluefish.com

Gathering of the Vibes: The biggest attractions at Vibes are always the remaining Grateful Dead side projects, this year including Phil Lesh, John Medeski, and Joe Russo. Of course it's not all hemp and hacky sacks, as this year features Black Crowes, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Roots, and a DJ set by James Murphy of LCD Sound System. All kinds of weekend and camping passes are still available for the festival July 25-28 at Bridgeport's Seaside Park. Information: http://www.gatheringofthevibes.com.

Lil' Wayne: After a serious health scare last month launched rumors of the rapper on his death bed, Lil Wayne seems to have made a recovery. Weezy attributes the scare, as well as his frequent seizures, to epilepsy. He hits the road on tour again in July and comes to Hartford's Comcast Theatre July 31. Hopefully this time around his backup dancers stay out of trouble if they decide to go to P.F. Chang's. Information: http://www.livenation.com.

Beyoncé: As one-half of the most powerful music couple in the world, there is no question that Beyoncé's world tour will be one of the biggest, intricately choreographed concerts of the season. She did perform at the last Super Bowl, after all. Conspiracy theorists will want to keep an eye out for subtle flashes of Illuminati symbols when Beyoncé performs at Mohegan Sun on Aug. 2. Information: 860-862-7163 or http://www.mohegansun.com

John Mayer: It's been a rough couple of years for John Mayer. Just before last year's the release of "Born And Raised," The Fairfield native had serious vocal issues that required surgery and regular Botox injections. Making a full recovery, Mayer is finally touring in support of his 2012 album. His Aug. 16 concert at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford also features American Idol winner Phillip Phillips opening. Information: http://www.livenation.com.